|
The Fantasy Shopping List
October 31, 2003
Story by: Eric Theis
If your fantasy team is like mine, you have
already started to key in on where you went very,
very wrong in your draft, or where the fantasy
gods have decided to grant you a team of Pintos,
competing in a league or Vipers. But enough with
the analogies; you need answers, help to get your
team back on track, earning points rather than
giving them up. The Fantasy Shopping List breaks
down the hot fantasy performers still available
in fantasy leagues (because most likely Ilya Kovalchuk
is not still available), and the spin on how they
can help, and hurt your team. Good luck this week,
and see you next time at the Fantasy Shopping
List.
Frantisek Kaberle Power Play Points, Assists
Atlanta, D
Percent Owned - 35.1%
Why you should pick him up:
Kaberle is spending more time on the power play,
which when teamed with the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk,
has translated into 6 Assists, 4 of them on the
power play, and he sits at a very impressive +5
for an Atlanta team playing with defensive responsibility..
To put those numbers into perspective, he is tied
in points with elite defensemen Nic Lidstrom,
Rob Blake, Chris Pronger and Sergi Gonchar, and
has shown himself to be the Kaberle to own thus
far.
Why you shouldn't:
The tragedy surrounding the death of Dan Snyder
has quite justly shifted attention away from the
fact that this young Atlanta team has been playing
over their heads. Kovalchuk is a phenom, but phenoms
can be shut down if they represent the only scoring
threat for a team. The well of points could dry
up suddenly, and with it Kaberle's utility.
Marc Savard Goals
Atlanta, C
Percent Owned - 84.1%
Why you should pick him up:
Savard played at a level that makes him capable
of amassing 25-35 goals this season. He plays
on a line with Slava Kozlov, and Ilya Kovalchuk,
a line which has produced 17 of the Thrashers
26 goals this year, and he has produced points
in all but two of Atlanta's games this year. A
lack of quality support, or injuries has limited
Savard's production over his career, but those
difficulties appear to be in Savard's past. This
could be a breakout year.
Why you shouldn't:
In 8 seasons, Savard has played in 70 or more
games only 3 times, and his career high in points
was 65 (in 2000 with Calgary). As well, for the
same reasons mentioned earlier, a one line team
does not endure over a season, as they can be
too easily matched up against by teams who study
game film. Pick him up if you need the goals,
but keep your eye on him if he and the team start
to flounder.
Marik Malik Plus Minus, Assists
Vancouver, D
Percent Owned - 45.1%
Why you should pick him up:
The current plus/minus leader in the NHL, who
plays for a team who can put up some great offensive
numbers might be someone to look at to help your
team. Although never a scoring threat in his career,
Malik has always played a sound defensive game,
and is great at moving the puck out of his own
end. Expect him to continue to produce this season.
Why you shouldn't:
Other than his lack of scoring, Malik has no
significant downside. The injury to Brent Sopel
(groin) on Tuesday night opens up the possibility
that Vancouver Coach Marc Crawford will juggle
his defensive pairings to compensate - which might
mean that Malik find himself separated from current
partner Ed Jovanovski.
Paul Mara Assists, Power Play Points
Phoenix, D
Percent Owned - 81.8%
Why you should pick him up:
His 9 points, including 8 helpers is good enough
for second best amongst all NHL defensemen. 4
of his assists have come on the power play, which
Mara receives regular ice time on, and he is +
1 for a team that is collectively - 2 after 9
games this season. In deep leagues, Mara's production
can definitely be an asset, if he is still available.
Why you shouldn't:
The Coyotes have shown great inconsistency, typical
of a rebuilding team stocked with young players
learning their craft. The rough translation of
this is that Phoenix will get scored on, mercilessly
some nights. Keep in mind your plus/minus when
acquiring Mara.
Ales Hemsky Assists, Power Play Points
Edmonton, RW
Percent Owned - 82.9%
Why you should pick him up:
Hemsky entered this season as the most talented
player, that no fantasy team was bound to draft.
He has remained under the radar with fantasy owners
thus far, but that trend could change quickly.
With Mike Comrie still holding out in Edmonton,
Hemsky has played on the Oilers top line alongside
Ryan Smith, and has responded with a team high
8 points (4 on the power play), and a game winning
goal through 9 games.
Why you shouldn't:
Hemsky is still very young, and is subject to
all of the struggles that befall sophomore players.
The pressure of being put on Edmonton's top line
may weigh heavily on the youngster, who has yet
to play a full NHL season.
Andrew Raycroft Wins
Boston, G
Percent Owned - 69.1%
Why you should pick him up:
When starter Felix Potvin stumbled out of the
gate this season, Raycroft was there to pick up
the pieces, posting three wins and one tie in
5 games. His 1.65 GAA, and .944 SV% has helped
Boston to its 6 - 2 - 2 start thus far, and has
shown management that he is ready to be the number
one for a team without a start backstop for several
seasons.
Why you shouldn't:
Potvin has rebounded with a win and a tie in
Boston's last two games, allowing only a single
goal (in overtime) out of 61 shots faced. At this
point, Raycroft might be the goaltender of the
future, but not the present in Boston.
Jamie McLennan Save %, GAA
Calgary, G
Percent Owned - 66.6%
Why you should pick him up:
With Roman Turek already missing significant time
off due to injury, McLennan has received the lions
share of starts for Calgary in net. In that time
he is 4-2, with a 1.61 GAA, a 914 SV%, and one
shutout.
Why you shouldn't:
Calgary is not going to threaten anyone for a
playoff spot based on their play this season.
The team has only 18 goals for so far, which will
not win many games for the Flames, nor accrue
many wins for a fantasy team. Mix in an unclear
starting goal situation when Turek does return,
and the number of wins McLennan could get for
a team shrinks even more.
Chris Simon Penalty Minutes
New York Rangers, LW
Percentage Owned - 11.5%
Why you should pick him up:
Love it or hate it, penalty minutes count in
fantasy hockey. A hard fact is that this stat
is largely overlooked by owners, yet simple attention
to this category could turn a losing week into
a winning one for a fantasy team. Not every team
can have a Todd Bertuzzi or Bill Guerin (noted
point studs with high PIMs), so most teams have
to look elsewhere. Chris Simon of the New York
Rangers currently leads the NHL with 62 PIM, in
addition to sitting at a tidy + 2, and even chipping
in 4 assists to boot. More importantly, Simon
is not a goon inserted periodically into his team's
lineup for toughness, having played in all 8 of
the Rangers games. This means that a fantasy owner
will not waste a roster spot inserting Simon into
the lineup, only to have Simon watch the game
from the press box.
Why you shouldn't:
Does any time really have the space to add a
PIM magnet? Most of us are trying win across so
many other offensive categories that there is
no where to put a Chris Simon-like player.
|
